Creation of custom plinths for the "Le Dernier Sacre" exhibition at the Galerie des Gobelins
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Time to read 6 min
Creation of Custom Bases for "The Last Coronation" Exhibition at Mobilier National
« The Gobelins Manufactory is a symbol of French tapestry expertise, an institution where art and technique unite in service of royal power. »
What is the Gobelins Gallery?
The Gobelins Gallery is an exhibition space located in Paris, affiliated with the Gobelins Manufactory.
A Brief History of the Gobelins Manufactory
The Gobelins Manufactory is an emblematic institution of French artistic craftsmanship. It is mainly known for its production of royal tapestries and also furniture.
The Gobelins Manufactory is under the aegis of the Mobilier National.
Visiting the Gobelins Manufactory is an experience in itself. A dive into the history of French craftsmanship. Imagine immense premises, which you can only visit during heritage days. Looms several meters high on which lissiers (specialized weavers) work on the creation or restoration of tapestries.
The Gobelins Manufactory specializes in the creation of high-warp tapestries, low-warp tapestries, the creation of contemporary tapestries, as well as the restoration of antique tapestries.
The name Gobelins, well known to Parisians, comes from one of the oldest dyeing families in the capital.
History of the Gobelin Family
Dive into 15th-century Paris, more precisely Boulevard Saint-Marcel. This family, originally from Reims, settled in Paris to develop a new dyeing process.
It is worth noting that since the 14th century, overly polluting activities, such as butchery, dyeing, and tanneries, were pushed to the city's outskirts due to excessive nuisances. Therefore, the Gobelin family settled near what is now the 13th arrondissement. Several advantages were available to them, as they were close to the Bièvre river, which they could utilize for the development of their activity. - This Parisian river, which flows into the Seine near the Gare d'Austerlitz, is underground throughout its Parisian section -
Let's return to the 15th century. Once they chose their location, the Gobelin family developed their activities throughout the entire neighborhood, so much so that by 1525, all of the current Rue des Gobelins belonged to them.
The commercial development of the family, under the impetus of its founder Jehan Gobelin, lasted for over a century and a half. Paradoxically, this family never produced any tapestries. Their area of expertise was color, specifically Scarlet Red.
The 16th century saw things evolve with the will of Henry IV, under the advice of Sully, to provide France with tapestry manufactories worthy of the name and thus save on tapestry imports. Flemish weavers Marc Comans and François de La Planche were therefore called upon to direct tapestry production. They were installed in workshops rented from the descendants of Johan Gobelin.
Creation of the Royal Manufactory
Around 1662, Colbert took up the idea of a large manufactory and brought all the tapestry workshops under the aegis of the Crown. He appointed Charles Lebrun to head this institution.
The Royal Gobelins Manufactory was created as part of a vast complex known as the Royal Furniture Manufactory.
Our custom bases in the exhibition
The exhibition "The Last Coronation" is structured as a long procession from the death of the king to the coronation of his descendant Charles X. This coronation was the last that France would know. The exhibition thus opens with the death of Louis XVIII, announcing the coronation of the future Charles X.
The crowns are exhibited with the royal scepters
Our intervention in the room "The king is dead, long live the king!" :
Securing crowns with a cabling system
personal image / Copyright: La Bulle
Cabling for securing royal scepters
Copyright: La Bulle
This first room also highlights the deceased's family in the form of a portrait gallery. These white busts required the creation of retaining tabs. The tabs are small elements placed at the base of the bust's stand to prevent it from falling.
Copyright: La Bulle
Copyright: La Bulle
The coronation of a king is a unique moment in the history of the monarchy. This ritual of passage is extremely codified, and every detail counts, and has for centuries.
That is why a room is entirely dedicated to the insignia of power.
Our intervention in the Insignia of Power room
In this room, we created custom bases for the display of the insignia of power. Several were created to accommodate various objects, giving each one a very solemn aspect.
Mounting the Insignia of Power
Copyright: La Bulle
Preparatory work for a custom base for the Insignia of Power room for the exhibition "The Last Coronation" at the Gobelins Gallery.
Copyright: La Bulle
Custom mounting of a medal in the Insignia of Power room for the exhibition "The Last Coronation" at the Gobelins Gallery.
Copyright: La Bulle
Copyright: La Bulle
Global view of one of the display cases with custom bases for the Insignia of Power room for the exhibition "The Last Coronation" at the Gobelins Gallery.
The exhibition continues with a room dedicated to the king's journey to Reims and a room reproducing his lodging at the time of this trip. We did not intervene in these rooms.
Next is the room dedicated to Charles X's coronation.
This is where we intervened several times to propose presentation systems adapted to these pieces and their molds (objects much larger and heavier than the final coin).
Our intervention in the Coronation Ceremony room
This room exhibits paintings of the coronation as well as coins struck with a scene illustrating the coronation of Charles X. The coins range from the simplest to the most complex.
Copyright: La Bulle
Preparatory work for installing coins on craft paper to avoid direct handling.
Copyright: La Bulle
Creation of custom bases for the exhibition's furniture
Copyright: La Bulle
Installation of the plexiglass cover to protect the objects.
To hold these objects, several options exist. In this case, we simply chose to place the larger items on two support rods.
And for the coins, a small base with retaining claws was custom-made.
The entire assembly was then covered with a plexiglass case.
For this exhibition, it was necessary to mount a very eclectic set of objects: coins, cutlery, swords, and coronation staffs. These works were all present at the coronation of Charles X. His coronation was "the last coronation."
Custom bases for a Royal Feast
This exhibition is conceived as a true coronation day.
After participating in the coronation ceremony, it's time for the festivities and the royal feast.
Our intervention in the Royal Feast room
This room is the highlight of the exhibition. While the first rooms are rather dark, illustrating mourning, compassion, and dignity, this room is bright and full of cheer.
The coronation feast table is recreated here with plates, dishes, glasses, and cutlery of rare beauty.
We had to create small security elements to hold each item so that they could not be stolen. Of course, the table could have been covered with plexiglass, but the splendor of these works of art would not have been revealed.
Copyright: La Bulle
Preparatory work for securing the elements that make up the Royal Feast Table of "The Last Coronation" exhibition at the Gobelins Gallery.
Copyright: La Bulle
Custom security elements for a sugar bowl, a bottle cooler, and a spoon from the Royal Feast table of "The Last Coronation" exhibition. These art objects come from the officers' dinner capraire service.
Custom brass security for an egg cup and its plate. Royal Feast Table of "The Last Coronation" exhibition at the Gobelins Gallery.
Copyright: La Bulle
Custom security for two crystal glasses. Royal Feast Table of "The Last Coronation" exhibition at the Gobelins Gallery.
Copyright: La Bulle
Custom security for a crystal glass case. Royal Feast Table of "The Last Coronation" exhibition at the Gobelins Gallery.
Copyright: La Bulle
Reserved seating for the king with his dedicated service. The brass security tabs are barely visible thanks to the play of light. Royal Feast Table of "The Last Coronation" exhibition at the Gobelins Gallery.
Copyright: La Bulle
Creation of a custom base for the royal scepter
Installation of the scepter on its custom base
Copyright: La Bulle
The centerpiece of the coronation, the ceremonial staff, benefited from a custom steel base to enhance its display.
Detail of the custom base for the royal scepter
Copyright: La Bulle
Custom base for the royal scepter.
Copyright: La Bulle
Full view of the royal scepter
With this article, you have stepped into the heart of creating custom bases for the security and display of artworks.
Don't hesitate to mount your artworks for your exhibitions, art galleries, or shops.
Ready to start custom mounting?
Copyright: La Bulle